{"id":32664,"date":"2026-02-17T07:28:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T07:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/?p=32664"},"modified":"2026-02-17T09:26:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T09:26:11","slug":"property-developer-accuses-police-of-alleged-abuse-of-office-unlawful-arrest-interference-in-on-going-land-dispute-currently-in-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/?p=32664","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0Property Developer Accuses Police of Alleged Abuse of Office, Unlawful Arrest, Interference in Land Dispute Currently in Court\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nAn Abuja based property developer, Mr. Sally Biose, has petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) over what he described as unlawful arrest, intimidation and continued interference by police officers in a land matter currently before several courts.<\/p>\n

In a formal petition dated February 16, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu(RTD),Mr. Biose accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force, led by ASP Samuel Ugbanawaji of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Abuja, of violating his fundamental rights and meddling in a dispute already subject to on-going civil and criminal litigation.<\/p>\n

According to the petition, Mr. Biose ;.an Abuja-based property developer, was arrested in Asaba, Delta State, on February 15, 2026, despite not being named in any criminal charge relating to the disputed property.<\/p>\n

His legal team stated that the arrest was carried out without regard to existing court proceedings and in defiance of established police directives against involvement in land disputes.<\/p>\n

The petition further alleged that the police action was connected to a long-running land dispute involving Bonatec Nigeria Limited and former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, with multiple suits pending before the High Courts and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.<\/p>\n

Mr. Biose\u2019s lawyers claimed that on October 14, 2024, police officers allegedly led by ASP Ugbanawaji supervised the demolition of their client\u2019s property without authorisation from either the Development Control Department or the enforcement unit of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.<\/p>\n

They said both agencies later distanced themselves from the demolition.
\nDespite the matter being before the courts, the petition alleged that police officers continued to arrest and harass individuals connected to the dispute, including parties not listed in any charge.<\/p>\n

It added that Mr. Biose had already instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the police, which is still pending before the FCT High Court.Several civil and criminal cases were cited as on-going in relation to the disputed land, including suits before the FCT
\nHigh Court and appeals at the Court of Appeal, raising concerns about the principle of lis pendens, which bars interference in matters already before a court of law.
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\nThe petition accused senior officers, including a serving Commissioner of Police, of disregarding repeated directives from the Police Service Commission instructing instructing their officers to halt investigations and intimidation connected to the land dispute pending judicial determination.<\/p>\n

Mr. Biose\u2019s legal representatives urged the PSC to urgently intervene and take disciplinary action against the officers involved, warning that continued police involvement in civil land disputes could further erode public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.<\/p>\n

As of press time, the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n